Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s14.21

v1.c3.s14.21

Cakṣus, ‘eye.’ The ‘evil eye’ (ghoram cakṣus) was well known in the Atharvaveda, which contains spells to counteract its influence.¹ As remedies against it are mentioned salve from Mount Trikakubh² and the Jaṅgiḍa plant.³ In the wedding ceremony the wife is entreated not to have the evil eye (aghora-cakṣus).⁴ The structure of the eye, and its division into white (śukla), dark (kṛṣṇa), and the pupil (kanīnakā) are repeatedly referred to in the later Brāhmaṇas.⁵ The disease Alaji appears to have been an affection of the eyes.